Happy Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day CentennialA century ago, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother’s Day, on Sunday, May 8, 1914. So get ready to celebrate the 100th official Mother’s Day this year, Sunday, May 11. Cards, flowers, gift cards, dinner, clothing and jewelry are some of the most popular ways Americans will honor their mothers. However you chose to show Mom how much you care, make this year count. After all, Mother’s Day only turns 100 once.

Handmade Gifts Mom Will Love

Sharpie coasters: Use ceramic tiles, colorful sharpies, rubbing alcohol and an eye dropper or spoon. Draw (or scribble) big swatches of color onto the tiles. The colors will blend, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Using the eye dropper, squeeze one drop of rubbing alcohol onto the colored tile. Wait while the alcohol blends the colors, and then repeat until you’re happy with the results.

Breakfast: Treat Mom to her favorite breakfast. Get creative by making pancakes into different shapes, making images on the plate. For extra flair, add flowers either in a vase or the edible kind. For inspiration, google “Bento box” and click on images.

Coupon book: Write out favors on note cards, decorate and staple. Whether you promise to do the laundry, clean the living room or give an extra hug, Mom will love this thoughtful gift

Did You Know?

1) Carnations are the unofficial flower of Mother’s Day. The tradition began when the holiday’s founder, Anna Jarvis, provided 500 of them on the first informal celebration of Mother’s Day in 1908.
2) In 2013, the National Retail Federation estimated that American consumers would spend more than $20 billion celebrating Mother’s Day.
3) One-fourth of all holiday sales of flowers and plants occur on Mother’s Day.
4) Approximately 122 million phone calls are made to U.S. moms on Mother’s Day.
5) Nearly 50 countries celebrate Mother’s Day. Among them are Argentina, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
6) The record for the oldest woman to give birth is 65 – a woman in India in 2003.
7) Mother’s Day yields the highest church attendance after Christmas Eve and Easter.

The Animal Kingdom

Kittens are born both blind and deaf. The vibration of their mother’s purring is a physical signal that kittens can feel – the purring acts as a signal to nurse.

Mother giraffes often give birth standing, so a newborn’s first experience outside of the womb is a 6-foot drop.

The mother orangutan reconstructs her home of leaves and sticks every day. The average mother will inhabit 30,000 new homes during her lifetime.

Many of the functions performed by females in most species are handled by dads in seahorse couples.

The African elephant has the longest pregnancy among all mammals, averaging 22 months.